Sharpie: The Life Story of Evelyn Sharp Mehraska's Avlatrix

"Sharpie" was one of the many unsung heroes of the WWII generation, each of whose stories deserve to be told. But she was also one of a select group of women who played an unusually significant role in the war effort but who, because of their gender, were discounted by their countrymen and overlooked by their government and history. Today these pioneering women would be flying with full recognition as officers in the armed services, with all the benefits of the GI bill, pension, disability, etc., which were denied them as "civilians." But that was a very different time and culture, and this book provokes some thought about that. My wife ordered this book after viewing a PBS special on the female aviators of WWII. It is not a historical documentary on the female aviators, but rather an in-depth biography of just one of these inspiring role models of WWII. The book was specially commissioned for and the details included reflect the relevance to Nebraskans with more than passing interest in their state history. It also will be valuable to persons with a particular interest in the women aviators of WWII or the early history of aviation (she started flying at a relatively young age and the account of a girl obtaining a plane and becoming an aviator in that day and age is fascinating). Being a biography of an adventurous woman who was ahead of her times but who died tragically at too early an age, it is somewhat slow moving and overly detailed for the casual reader. Otherwise it would have been a very short book. For those with a specialized interest in the female aviators of WWII, an inspiring personage of Nebraska history, or who simply savor well-researched and well-written biographies, this is your book. Sharpie is still be an inspiring role model for young women today and a fascinating example to all of how important it is not to succumb to the limitations of one's circumstances.

I grew up in Ord, NE and heard about Evelyn Sharp all the time. The airport is named after her as well as is the annual sky show every year. She was Valley County's little sweetheart who was almost as famous as Amelia Earhart. You will enjoy this touching story of a small town girl who becomes famous and died too young at the age of 25 before she could set world records for women in aviation.

We read the book in school, and Mrs. Bartles came to talk to us about this wonderful book. It shows a lot of courage and passion in a girl so young. It is a touching story. I am actually from Ord, Nebraska, the town where she spent most of her life growing up. She has left a great impact on Ord, there is a town holiday dedicated to her, and the airport is named after her. This is really a great story that will touch your heart.

I just got done doing a report on Evelyn Sharp for school, and thought it was really cool that I didn't have to go far to look for information. This book really got me more interested in her life and how much of an influence she had on women in aviation back in her time. It's awesome that someone from a town near mine in Nebraska could be so famous and successful and have such an impact on a lot of people. This is a great book to read if you love aviation or even if you don't.

This book puts the reader into a small town in NE in the 1930's. You get the feel of growing up in the hard times of the thirties, of a girl with a passion to fly, her continuous concern for her parents, her friends and her hometown who had supported her in her quest to learn to fly, even tho it was hard times in an drouth-stricken ag community. Learn of the sacrifices made to defend our country, including the supreme sacrifice by this young woman who loved to fly.